For the fast-paced prevailing fashion industry - where the proliferation of ready-made staples and convenient clothing is becoming the norm, embroidery designs are catalysts that offer meaningful gratification. The art of embroidery has travelled the world in different forms - crossing borders and adopting ethnicities as per the cultures and communities. The vibrant history, present and apparent future of this legendary fashion element tell us it is going to stay and dominate the clothing realm – almost forever.

One can wonder about the secret of its timeless notoriety but to many, embroideries is nothing but a form of expression. Fashion designers around the world consider fashion a medium of communication, expressing their imagination, style and creativity. As per that definition – embroidery fashion is a wondrous way of storytelling. The ardent detailing of every thread woven delicately by the artisans expresses something unique.

Various Approaches in Fashion
When we say ‘embroidered dress’ there might be just a specific image of embroidered clothes into your mind. A lot of people consider embroidery as traditional and somewhat backward, however, the recent fashion exhibitions and trends show otherwise. Embroidery has a lot of potential for variation and diversity and that is exactly why it has survived the thousands of years constituting timeline.

If you are someone with a more modernistic approach - there is no reason to think that embroidery isn’t for you. A huge plus with embroidered outfits is that you don’t have to force out design variations to give your dress a different look and feel. Instead, there are so many various techniques and forms of embroidery that difference and uniqueness become automatically apparent. Here is how you can add variations and style when it comes to embroidery.

1. Whitework: This is where the embroidered thread and the background fabric is of a similar colour. This technique can be used in many ways such as Hardanger, surface embroidery and hedebo etc.

2. Hedebo: This type of embroidery is a kind of whitework originating in Denmark, perhaps as early as the 15th century.

3. Pulled thread: This intricate work is a counted thread technique stitches, creating eye-catching patterns from gaps, airy fillings, creating lacy, bands, borders and hems.

4. Cross stitch: This type of embroidery creates a cross over stitch between the threads forming diagonal style small patterns which form an “X” on the fabric. It is a renowned type of count thread embroidery.

5. Candlewick: This traditional technique uses an unbleached cotton thread on a piece of unbleached muslin. One can make intricate patterns by making colonial knots.

Embroidery Fashion has its own particular place in clothing trends. For every culture and ethnicity –this fashion practice has a different meaning from stylish upcycled western tees to embroidered abaya gowns – embroidery has a way to make each staple worth wearing - delivering a special expression to uplift your style statement.

• Coordination: Umer Mushtaq
• Hair & Makeup: The Trio Salon
• Designer: Nimra Kashif
• Photography & Styling: Yasser Sadiq
• Models: Maleena Mansoor & Rabita Ali